THE top five sides are set in stone for the 2023 South West District Football League season, with the bottom three sides all now mathematically eliminated from finals contention.

Heywood’s victory over Branxholme-Wallacedale means the sixth-placed Saints now remain three games outside the top five with just two rounds left in the season, leaving the key discussion to remain about the battle for position from three to five on the ladder.

The Lions steadily built their advantage throughout the first half of their 16.11 (107) to 8.7 (55) victory over the Saints.

Branxholme-Wallacedale was able to put a dent in the margin in third term, however, a six goal to one final quarter for the Lions put the game beyond doubt.

Leon Davis played a starring role once again, bagging six goals in a best on ground display, while Evan Bott, Nathan Hardingham, Jason Walker, Jack Fadersen and Brad Martin also played well for the Lions.

Thomas Scott, Samuel Brewer, Tim Cogger, Colby Hammond, Jay Hogan and Kieran Barker were the Saints’ best.

Heywood coach Sammy Walsh-Bannam said he was pleased his side had been able to get over the line and lock in a top-five finish.

“It was a game we couldn’t afford to let go… definitely very good that we were able to get the win and secure our spot in finals,” Walsh-Bannam said.

“We’re still in a position to compete for the top three, so that’s going to be the aim for the rest of the season.”

This game was new recruit and former AFL player Nathan Lovett-Murray’s second opportunity to don the colours for Heywood, with Walsh-Bannam praising both is on-field and off-field influence.

“What he provides in terms of leadership is just so valuable to us… honestly everything he gives us on the field is just such a massive bonus.”

The Lions will now look ahead to an important clash with Dartmoor which will be pivotal in determining if they remain in top-three contention.

“It’s a huge clash, and a big opportunity to set ourselves up well for finals,” Walsh-Bannam said.

“We let the first game against them get away, but pulled it back second time around… it should be a great game.”

Darras down Giants

Tyrendarra has given itself an even stronger claim on third spot thanks to a 12.10 (82) to 5.10 (40) win over Dartmoor at Tyrendarra.

The Giants had the advantage in the early-going, taking an eight-point lead into the first change, but it was the Darras who were able to get on top by 14 points at the main break.

From there Tyrendarra was able to lock down Dartmoor defensively, with the Giants adding just one major to their tally in the second half.

Matthew Hardiman, Josh Atwell, Mitch Arnold, Luke Bennett, Brett Uebergang and Patty Haylock were the Darras’ best, while Sam Woodall, Jayden Polaski, Jay Ropitini, Rhys Malseed, Jordan Murphy and Jack Haw fought hard for Dartmoor.

The four-points for Tyrendarra means that it looks to be a two-horse race between them and Heywood for third spot, as the Giants would need a small miracle to claim it at this stage.

Coleraine’s firepower on display

Coleraine’s attacking potency was on full display in their thumping 31.13 (199) to 8.5 (53) win over Heathmere, as their key forwards dominated proceedings.

It’s rare that you’ll see an eight-goal haul upstaged by that player’s own teammate, but that’s exactly what happened to the Maroons’ Patrick Sinnott, as ex-AFL player Tyrone Vickery kicked a whopping 13 goals in the biggest bag recorded in the SWDFL’s seniors this season.

Sinnott and Vickery received ample support from Ben Deutscher, Alexander Richardson, Harry Armstrong, and Samuel Youngman.

But while it was a big day out for the Maroons, the Meres will also have plenty to take away from the clash, as they kicked eight goals of their own in what can be taken as a positive step forward for the club.

Cooper Anson, Jamie Eccles, Jed Lucas, Kristopher Hill, Adrian Hann and Luke Sartori were their best on the day.

Cavendish too good for Westerns

Cavendish was much too strong for Westerns this week, taking home a 14.22 (106) to 1.1 (7) win at Heathmere on Saturday.

The Bloods put the game beyond doubt early, taking a 33-point lead into the first change and building on that in the second to be up by over 10 goals at the main break.

Westerns will take some major positives from their second half showing, as they were able to restrict Cavendish’s scoring opportunities significantly in the second half, although they weren’t able to capitalise at the other end.

Harrison Rees, Christopher Quinn, Aiden Luhrs, Ricky Luhrs, Johnny Gardner and Ashley Nice were best for the Bloods, while Nicholas Scott, Noah Knight, Lewis Hameka, Stephen O’Brien, Brad Williams and Lachie Warburton played solid games for the Roos.